Hey everyone. New and Old to these shenanigans. I know I kinda did a mean thing and left you hanging on that last chapter. Like I've done several times before and for that I'm sorry. So lets just dive right in!

Chapter 10 The Death of the One You Love.

Arnold couldn't believe it, it was like his nightmare awakened to reality, Helga's cold lifeless body laid beside him. No one had come to there aid and now Helga had payed the price. Arnold felt his will being drained from him, the earth slowed and he felt as though is body was sinking into the ground. Nope, I cant do this, just kidding. For those of you who didn't read the chapter name. I really hope no one fell for that. That would be bad. Because I know if I was reading something like that I would have immediately slammed my laptop screaming NO! Not saying anything from this as to there safety but this is not how its gonna go down. I think I honestly just wanted to see how people will react. So for that Im so sorry. I swear It will only update like this here.

When we last left off both our young heros were clinging to life in the dense rain forest left in the mercy of fait, with La Sombra's men not far off into the distance.

Chapter 10 Of Bravery, Kindness, and Wisdom.

Arnold awoke to a warm light and the sounds of birds singing and a light breeze rustling through the trees. He felt soar. More soar then he had ever felt in his entire life. His feet alone felt numb, he tried to wiggle them. The movement was small but enough to feel that something was wrapped around his feet, like fabric, shifting slightly as he lay there, eyes closed tight, wiggling his toes.

As he opened his eyes again his vision began to clear, Arnold moved his arm and hands to rub his eyes clear. Each movement was a strain. Yet his view of where he was was currently limited to just the sealing. Mustering all his strength he pulled himself up to glance around. It was a small shack, the walls made from thin sticks woven together, allowing light to seep in, the roof seemed to be made the same way yet it was covered in large leaves. He was on a small bed just by a small window, yet at the point even the small light seeping through the walls was blinding, leaving Arnold unwilling to try to focus on the outside world. He turned his gaze toward an slowly present weight he felt on one of his legs. There at the edge of the bed he saw his father, curled up with one arm stretched over Arnold's left calf. His face turned towards Arnold yet his dark tired eyes were shut.

Arnold took one more glance around the room. It was a humble little shack. A large desk cluttered with bowls and pots, as well as what looked to be plant life. String hung across the room, hanging from it were pictures, notes and papers, and a few shirts. Arnold strained to turn all the way around, but failed, his neck and back too soar. He instead opted for waking his sleeping father.

Using his tired hand he delicately nudged his father, who's faces scrunched and turned away. Arnold laughed lightly.

But not lightly enough, his laughter causing his father to pop up wide eyed vision focused on his now awake son. Before Arnold could say hello he was engulfed in a hug so strong he felt the wind nearly nocked out of him. Yet once the shock had warn off he returned his fathers embrace.

" We were so worried."

Arnold smiled and laughed lightly.

" So was I."

Arnold starred at the worried face of his father, one that he had longed to see for years. Sure he could have done with out the prominent worry but wasn't that part of the whole deal? The constant worry for your safety? I mean any parent would care after all that he and Hel...

Arnold's eyes widened. Grabbing his fathers shirt for support.

" Where is Helga?!" Arnold began to try to stand further but his father held him back.

" She's alive Arnold! Don't worry."

" But! HER ARM!? That snake it.. It bit her... Right through..."

" Right through her arm. I know Arnold. And besides the blood loss thats why she's alive. She was poisoned thats for sure, but the amount was so small because most of the poison landed on her shoe. Some was already on the fan but not enough to kill her. It was the blood loss that gave us the real scare, but you helped a great deal with that."

" So... she... s-she's ok?"

" She's under your mothers care right now. The snake you two fought was a common predator on the green eyes, so you're mother had plenty of anti venom, but she still is recovering from the gash it left as well as some other injures. She will be fine."

Arnold felt relief over whelm him. He release his hold on his fathers shirt and slumped against the back board of the bed. She was alive! Words could not express how desperately at that moment he wanted to see her. To hold her, to ki-

Arnold felt his head get dizzy, his face grow hot. He brought his hand to hide his face as hot tears began escaping his eyes. There was no denying it, no more questions, or disbelieves. No more heat of the moment, or a chance it was merely physical.

He loved Helga. He loved Helga more then his heart seemed to be able to bare. He loved her wit, he loved her good and bad nature, he loved her cunning and her ability to never stand down. He loved the fire in here eyes, or that smirk when she knew she was right. And he loved that he was one of the few that she really opened up too. He loved that feeling he got at the pit of his stomach from the kisses he remembered and he loved that as he got older he could give him the same feeling with just a glance and a smile. God how he loved that smile.

Helga had took the risk and stood by him, even after there fights, even when she told him she couldn't stand him. Time and time again she risked anything for him.

His heart had never felt so full, he had found his parents and the love of his life in such a short time that he felt as though it were to burst at the seems. He felt his fathers arms wrap around him in a protecting and warm embrace.

A crash was heard several feet away and his father let go slightly to find the cause. Arnold too shifted to gaze around to see his mother nearly in tears at the site of her boy awake. She rushed over joining the embrace, Arnold felt his moms caring hands delicately stroke his hair. Leaning back to look at her long lost boy he smiled widely. It seemed to Arnold as if she was trying to find words, yet when none seemed to be found she hugged her boy again.

The happy family stayed like this for quite a while. When the hug had finally broke apart though Arnold's mother began tending to his wounds. During the run through the jungle Arnold had managed to push a sprained ankle to a full break. And the rocks and twigs had managed to slice at his feet, leaving them tender and bruised. Arnold's dad began regaling there side of the story yet Arnold was too distracted to really listen. Arnold felt a searing pain as his mother applied some herbs to the healing cuts on his feet, as well to some cuts on his arms and legs. As hisAs the pain subsided and his mother began to re wrap the wounds. Arnold Stared as his mother wrapped his broken ankle.

" Where's the ribbon?"

MIles and Stella looked at Arnold, Arnold not really realizing his interrupting his fathers story with a random question, making it seem to come out of no where. It took them a few seconds to process.

" Ah." His mother said finally getting the connection. " Its on the desk, I'll get it for you." She walked over and grabbed the small object, and gently placed it in his hands. It was warn even more then before, and bloodstained. He gazed at the small piece of silk that had belonged to the girl that saved his life. With out thinking he brought the silk to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss.

" Looks like you really love this girl." Said Arnold's father. Arnold Brought the ribbon back down to rest in his hands.

" Yeah." There was a moment of silence before Arnold realized what he had just confessed. His eyes went wide. He looked at his parents. His mother a knowing smile on her face, just continued her work unfazed. Yet his father got a stupid grin and immediately began scuffling Arnold hair. " Wait.. no I.. I meant.."

" Yah I know what you meant. My little Arnold! So grown up and falling in love."

" No I.. I didn't mean to.." Arnold let out a frustrated sigh " .. don't... don't tell her ok?"

" Now Arnold why would we tell her." Arnold's mom tightening Arnold's bandage, causing Arnold to cringe in pain.

" Yeah that's your job shortman! And every mans gotta do it." Miles pulled Arnold into an affectionate head lock. " You're so grown up though! It feels like we've missed everything!"

" Miles please! You're going to make his injures worse." Stella tightened the other bandage causing Arnold to cringe again. Miles relieved Arnold and instead left one of his large hands on his shoulder. Arnold Looked up at his dad.

" Trust me dad I've still got a lot of growing up to do.. and a strong need for parents."

" Well good! Cause your stuck with us now."

Arnold smiled widely, he gave another affectionate glance towards the ribbon before tying it on his wrist, and then he began to listen to his fathers overly exaggerated stories.

Several hours passed and Stella had 'Ok'ed Arnold to walk around with help from a crutch. Though seeing Helga was still off limits. Arnold sat on the edge of his bed, his crutch in one hand, trying to stand up.

" Need a hand?"

" Gerald!"

Arnold retook his seat as Gerald walked over.

" Hey man you're forgetting something."

" What?"

" Turn around."

Arnold turned to glance out the window, with all the stories and the overwhelming affection from his parents he had nearly forgotten to stare out. He was greeted to a beautiful array of colors. It was the village of the green eyes.

" Not that man.. although its very cool out there, I'll show you in a bit. Look down a little."

Arnold complied glancing down he saw a medallion, much like the ones he had seen illustrated in his fathers Journal. He picked up the wood carved necklace, and stared at the prominent green eye that just stared right back.

" No way."

" Yes way. You, Me, And Helga all got these. According to your parents were all honorary green eyes. Although hehe, you're a bit more then that.

" What?"

" Ah nothing I'll explain later."

Arnold disregarded Gerald neglect to tell him anything, and simply adorned his new necklace. With that Gerald helped Arnold stand giving him extra support. Arnold's feet felt as though they were burning, yet curiosity drove him to keep walking beside Gerald.

Out side was unbelievable. Houses in trees and on the ground. All connected by vines and walkways. The huts of the green eyes were like nests, intricately woven twigs creating a hive like structor filling the trees. Surrounding it were some what more normal huts like the one he had just been in. Yet if the structure alone was not enough to impress one, then the colors would do the trick. Bright colored fabric and feathers hug nearly everywhere with other assorted decorations. Painted symbols stained the trunk and branches of the tree as well as the sides and entrenches of the house. Colorful fabric draped over doors and entrenches, and as he watched, he began to see the green eyed people.

They had all seemed to be hiding at first. Yet slowly one by one they had begun to show there faces, climbing down to greet Arnold and Gerald. Arnold a little ill at ease of the situation looked to Gerald for guidance. Gerald simply nodded his head towards a rather large Green eye that had begun to approach. His head adorned with many a colorful feather and his large belly displayed for all to see. A bright read, and beautifully pattered cloth hung from his waist. He held a long walking stick adorned at the top with beads and feathers. Yet what seemed most amazing were his bright, nearly glowing green eyes against his tan skin.

He halted, his gut less than a foot away from Arnold. The Large green eye straightened his back, and struck his fist to his chest, releasing a grunt. Arnold looked to Gerald again, who was miming the same actions. Arnold as well struck his fist to his chest wincing slightly at the pain. And released a weak grunt. The large Green eye stood firm for a moment, Arnold shifted awkwardly, and then out of no where the largest smile arnold had ever seen stretched across his face, he let out a bellowed laugh of which nearly nocked poor arnold off his feet. The large green eye then ruffly hit arnold affectionally on the back, actually nocking him over.

Gerald helped Arnold back up as the Large green eye began to spout something to the other green eyes and himself that he didn't understand.

" He says welcome."

Arnold turned to see Hazel and Zack standing a few feet away. He smiled happily knowing that everyone was safe, turning to the green eyes again he watched as they all began to come down form the trees and gather around him. Hazel and Zack took to stepping behind Arnold.

" Thats the leader Sabio Maiorehomem." Hazel whispered. Arnold watched as Sabio faced his people and nocked his staff twice into the ground. Everyone around began to bow.

" Whats going on?

" From what I gather. You're kinda one of there gods." Arnold was frozen as he watched Sobio join his people as they all bowed. He turned to Gerald who had begun to neil, Hazel and Zack too.

" ... THERE WHAT?!"

Once Arnold had calmed down from his sate of shock Gerald, Hazel, and Zack brought him too what Arnold discovered was the equivalent of a mess hall. Besides the fact everything was strange it was surpassingly tasty, Arnold had forgotten how hungry he had been these past few days. He began devouring meet and fruit brought to him.

" So..." Arnold's said with a mouth full of some kinda fish, he took a gulp of water before continuing. " What happened to you guys."

" Ah glad you asked." Gerald started. " You see after you and Helga had your tumble down the hill we had tried to find a way around only to have stumbled upon the actual village of the green eyes. We.. kinda had our own little tumble. And wound up falling straight into this little nest thingy."

" They immediately captured us." Hazel continued. " And I'm pretty sure they might have killed us if not for your man main there."

Arnold mid chew looked at Gerald who had been watching Arnold with an amused look. " They had us at spear point man. And Mister 007 here was about to whip out the deadly force." They all looked at Zack who just turned away, a slight blush on his cheek as Hazel playfully punched him in the arm. " But I managed to calm them down."

" It was so cool!" Hazel continued. " Gerald just put up his hands and slowly got down on the ground. And we followed. And then Gerald started talking, trying to explain why we were there, and one mention of your name and they dragged us to meet the village elder, Sabio Maiorehomem.

" Woah."

" Thats not the half of it. Little miss art student here apparently has a thing for languages. She can understand them."

" Really!?" Arnold exclaimed, some food escaping his mouth. " You speak there language?"

" Haha No just understand. Its way to complicated to speak, but apparently your parents were not the first to be accepted into the green eyes. Apparently trough out time different explorers, only with peaceful intentions, have been let in to the green eyes village, but they left behind a piece of something, there language. These guys speak nearly everything in the book! For instance just Sabio Maiorehomem's name can be broken down into three different languages. One of them being Latin! The issue with speaking it is that when and how to use each word and what language its from. I swear its worse then English on rules. But your name holds more power then anything."

" Why me?"

" Your birth with in there temple was a sign of a god being born. Im not sure if the actually the right word gods are different from the ones we're used too. Ours are all mighty beings of which have unspeakable power. Theres are more like these good natured spirits that watch over them. In fact they believe the spirit of kindness is inside you, protecting you, and because of that you yourself become a spirit of kindness."

" Woah.. this.. is all kinda.. intense."

" Yeah it was easer for us to learn over the course of a few days." Added in Zack. " It takes a while to process. But don't worry, they wont kill you to 'free' there god.. we don't think at least."

" Great..." Arnold remarked taking another sip of water. " So you guys.. are honorary Green eyes?"

" Yeup, and we all got a title. In which spirit they feel we represent." continued gerald. " I got the wise."

" I was given the knowledgeable, yah know for language and stuff." added Hazel

" I got the watchful." said Zack.

" and then you got the kindness obviously, and then Helga got the brave!"

" Helga got one too?"

" Yeah. She also was made an honorary warrior. Dude to her slaying of that giant snake thing." said Gerald.

" And was dubbed your protector by the elder himself." Hazel added proudly.

" though Helga didn't get much say in the matter, she was kinda out cold."

" Have you guys seen her yet? Is she alright?" Arnold said, still anxious to see her.

" She's fine man.. calm down." Gerald put a hand on Arnold's shoulder. He offered a knowing smile to Arnold, causing him to blush and look away. Yeup that was Gerald. When it came to Arnold's crushes, know one knew him better.

" Man, I have got to be the worst god parent ever!" Hazel exclaimed.

" Yeah. Ya kinda are." Zack added.

Arnold just stared at the food on his place, barley regretting Gerald's laughter as Hazel began to abuse Zack for saying such a 'cruel' thing. In his mind he was still anxious to see Helga, with his own eyes, to know she was ok. But the knowledge that everyone else was alright gave him that hope, that believe that the ending of this adventure could be a happy one.

Arnold smiled as he watched his friends whip up a frenzy. The weight that had held his heart lifting little by little.

" Arnold!" Arnold turned to see his mother standing in the door way. " You can go see Helga now."

And just like that, the weight had nearly vanished. He quickly hobbled towards his mother, waving to Gerald as Hazel and Zack continued fighting, and then he was out the door.

He walked quietly along side his mother until they reached a smaller shack on the other side of the village. Fabric draped over every wall on the outside including the door. Flowers and offerings around the outside. His mother pulled some back allowing him to enter.

It was slightly darker, sunlight passing through the lighter fabrics causing to fill the room with color and warmth, the air hug with the sent of flowers and sensed oils. More offerings and flowers lay on the floor. The offerings seemed to consist of trinkets, food, blankets, what looked to be a few tools, but mostly flowers. Yet all the color and objects only drew his attention to the girl lying in the bed across the floor.

There she slept, wrapped in every hue known to man, flowers adorning her hair, her scowl absent, replaced by a face of peaceful slumber. Arnold approached slowly. As he reached her bed side he laid his crutch down upon the ground. Untying the pink ribbon from his wrist he took her wrist, and retied the bow around it. He delicately set her wrist back down but took her hand, and gazed at the undisturbed Helga.

He couldn't lie to himself, she wasn't in as good a shape as he hoped, yet she wasn't as bad as he thought. She had several light bruises and cuts that he could see on her exposed arms and face. The arm in question wrapped tightly in bandages, yet arnold could see a scar peaking out. Arnold stroked her hand lightly with his thumb, letting out a breath he hadn't even known he was holding. As he gazed fondly at her face he felt his heart beet begin to race, yet not nearly as fast as usual. Perhaps knowing of his love he had calmed it some.

Full of courage and gratefulness he leaned over and lightly kissed Helga on her cheek. He hug there for a moment, drawing back only slightly, contemplating stealing a kiss while she was sleeping. His love for Helga was know, and no longer in question, but there was still that hesitation, did she love him back? Helga stirred and Arnold quickly drew from her face completely, cheeks hot, heart racing at full speed. He watched has her eyes gracefully fluttered open revealing those enchanting blue eyes. His heart rate increased again to the point of where he thought it was going to burst. quickly he noticed he was still holding her hand, and let go quickly. The last thing he wanted to do was over confuse her with his over bearing feelings.

" Arnold?" her voice was broken and unused. Yet still heavily in his years.

" Hi Helga." He smiled, despite his inner turmoil he still managed to seem somewhat calm, at least he hoped he did.

" Where are we?" her eyes traveled across the room.

" The village of the green eyes."

" How did we..."

Arnold boldly took her hand again. Silencing her and bringing her gaze toward him.

" Theres a lot to explain. You sure you're up for it?"

" Arnold I'm stuck in a bed and can't move, its ether deal with this or stair at a wall."

Arnold smiled at her humor, a chuckle even escaping his lips. He released her hand, missing it the moment he did, but like he thought, there was a lot about to be explained, he didn't want to.. over complicate anything.

About an hour passed before he was done explaining everything, Helga staying quite say for a few questions. Arnold saw her relax at the mention of Hazel Zack and Gerald all being ok, as well as his parents. When Arnold had finished he watched for a moment as she processed everything.

"Arnold, I don't mean to be the one to burst your bubble. But La Sombra and his goons are still out there. How are we going to get back to camp? If your parents haven't been able to for years, how are we going too?"

Helga had raised a good point. One that had too been in the back of Arnold's mind. One he had yet to draw attention too, for the reason that he knew the only way out, the only way to finally be free, to be home again. Was to confront La Sombra once and for all.

Thats the update for now! Kinda crazy right now in my life and haven't had as much time to write but hopefully there wont be any more crazy gaps of time between updates. Im also updating with chapter art on my Deviant art account .com and have recently posted the cover for all this #/d59343u

As to the future let me know if ya like it. Its really been the comments that have kept me going. ( on a side note if you were reading 'book of the beast' which is another fanfic for teentitans I started but haven't touched in a while, there is hope for me finishing that yet. :) ) any who! hope you enjoyed it!